Over N126 Million worth of Goods seized by Customs in Kebbi

The Nigerian Customs Service at the Kebbi State Area Command has intercepted a significant haul of goods valued at over N126 million. Among the seized items were 212 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice and 10,025 liters of petrol worth over N2 million.

Customs Area Comptroller, Iheanacho Ojike, emphasized the command’s commitment to intensifying efforts against smuggling since assuming office just two months ago. Ojike highlighted the use of intelligence gathering and community sensitization to combat smuggling activities, which pose a threat to both the economy and citizens’ well-being.

The intercepted items, beyond rice and petrol, included a variety of contraband such as second-hand clothing, drugs, expired powdered milk, and foreign goods like spaghetti and sugar. The combined duty paid value of the seized items amounted to N126,278,959.60.

Acknowledging the collaborative efforts of various units within the Customs Service and sister agencies, Ojike stressed the importance of joint operations in achieving such remarkable results. Notably, the seized Indian hemp will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action.

Despite challenges posed by the border closure between Nigeria, Benin Republic, and Niger Republic, the Kebbi State Area Command managed to achieve a 125% increase in revenue generation, totaling N7,215,500 in the past two months.